DULUTH, Minn. – Trash pickups at bins throughout the Superior National Forest were suspended because of wildfires, with scavenger bears emboldened by spillover garbage . Now with people returning, trash is being stored in the open. So far there have had two incidents of bear damage. Foresters’ message: Beware of bears wherever trash is open. Meanwhile, with 1-1/2 to 2 inches of rain starting last weekend, the danger from wildfires has eased. People are returning to their Northwoods homes and cabins.
Scavaging for treats. Forest trash bins are overflowing until pickups resume. Open trash piling up. Image: U.S. Forest Service